In recent times, the Red Bull seat in Formula 1 has become one of the most coveted race seats in all of motorsport. This is simply because the team is now the benchmark in this sport. After a dominant 2022 season, the Milton-Keynes-based outfit has turned it up a notch this year. That being said, even during the days of Mercedes domination, the energy drinks Goliaths were one of the most lucrative prospects in the sport.

Naturally, for any young driver, being given the chance to drive for the Bulls would’ve been a huge step forward. And this came for young Russian driver Daniil Kvyat when he signed for their junior driver academy way back when. But if you think it was a walk in the park after that for the ex-F1 driver, then you’re certainly mistaken.

Daniil Kvyat describes the horrors of Red Bull

In 2015, he got the call-up for the main A-team as well. However, after a lukewarm season and some, he was replaced by eventual 2x champion Max Verstappen in 2016. As of 2021, he had left the sport as he and Red Bull cut ties. During this time there, though, he was always at arms with team advisor Helmut Marko.

A man with a reputation for being stern, Kvyat joked about his time with the Austrian boss. On a recent episode of the Track Limits podcast, “Dr. Marko!” responded the Russian driver when asked what was the biggest obstacle he had to face to get to Formula 1.

He then continued, “No, I mean, yeah Helmut of course was a very important part of my career. But yeah, it was a lot of things coming together. A good karting career was important and signing with Red Bull’s junior [team]. And convincing them that you are worth it.”

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With him gone from the sport for three years now, will the Russian make a shock F1 return?

Kvyat hopes for an F1 return

Kvyat was always fast when he was driving in Formula 1. However, he lacked that consistency and make a few costly mistakes. But with so many drivers returning to the sport after a stint out, does Kvyat stand a chance to make a return?

He told Motorsport.com, “I think you never say never. But at the moment, of course, the timing, let’s say, is not ideal for that perhaps. Hopefully one day we can talk about it again.” 

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